Her Majesty Dogmad

Cruciate ligament or knee prob, either way, he needs to be having a forced rest before the vet has a look. I didn't do that with one of mine and it was disastrous.

Yes, this happened with a foster dog! I couldn't believe the poop!

My first dog had to be muzzled out on walks, not because he was nasty but because he was so cute. He was an abused dog but as a Lakeland terrier, he was just like a teddy bear and people would rush up to him and stick their face close to his - in spite of us asking not to but sometimes it was so sudden. He never bit anyone whilst out on a walk but he had bitten the gas meter man (who we asked not to touch him but did so anyway). We never took any more chances after that as he could have been put to sleep because of it. He soon got used to it and although we would have preferred not to have to do it, we did not want to lose our dog permanently. You are doing what you MUST do, it's not really a choice. As the owner of small dogs, if someone's dog injured or killed one of mine, I'd see them in court as I would want their dog euthanased - being declared dangerous wouldn't be enough for me. Far too many people think small dogs don't count ...

The loss of a pet for many people leaves a huge hole in our lives, especially in our heart. It's especially hard when they are young. Hugs to you.

Oh no! I'm so sorry, RIP poor Hope. Thank you for giving her love at the end.

So sorry Juice, hugs to you.

What a beauty, RIP Jenny. Hugs to you and your family.

I've had 4 dogs that did this, 1 was diagnosed with Cushings Disease, 1 was kidney and the other 2 were not confirmed but thought to be Cushings - the tests on an old dog are pretty hard - extensive and very expensive so personally, as long as they are coping with life I wouldn't put another old dog through it again. But it's also worth looking at whether or not you've changed diets because it can be something as simple as that. I'm hoping in your case it is something minor that can be easily treated.

Seems to me like you struck gold when you bought Jasmine home! She sounds truly special and I'm so glad you saved her and love her enough to make sure she's happy and treasured for the rest of her days. Hugs to you all!

Pointeelab, you have made me very angry - it brings back the death of the Italian Greyhound I adopted 2 weeks ago. He went to 2 different breeders' houses and lived with each for a while, NEITHER of them took him to the vet and yet BOTH knew that he had at least 2 out of the 3 agonising health issues he suffered (rotten teeth and dislocating shoulder were two of them). Do you love this dog?

Just what is the BIG problem with visiting a vet? If it were your child's ear what would you do? Would you go to a Doctor? There would have to be pain involved, the potential for infection or permanent damage. For God's sake, what is the matter with you?

So you are not taking him to a vet???? I just collected a dog that had been rehomed a year ago and was being returned and one of his ears was tiny and shrivelled, not a good look but I can only imagine the pain he had gone through .... Unless you yourself are a vet, then I would say your dog needs to go urgently, no question. Having just euthanased a rescued IG that had been through 5 homes in 2 months but not been taken to a vet for his rotten teeth (every one of them), his dislocating shoulder/swollen leg and when I got him not only was he in agony but it was too late for him, I would say I'm super-sensitive about people not taking dogs to vets when they need to go.

My neighbour's dog is an Aussie Shepherd, she's a lovely and slightly shy girl, I'd never heard her bark before. One night, I heard her go crazy, knew their was something wrong and there was an intruder in my neighbour's place. They certainly don't look to her to protect them but she gave them a warning so they could call the police at least. I wouldn't have let the dog go, just the sight of a GSD is enough to deter most people and if that doesn't, nothing probably would.

Puppy farmers trade in misery, they are not in it for love of dogs/breeds whatever, it's about making money. The dogs are just items to profit from. I just read the newspaper article and it said conditions were cramped with faeces everywhere. Let's face it, it cannot be a happy and well adjusted life for a dog - living like that? Personally I'd like to see every puppy farm and back yard breeder stopped in their tracks.

So are you looking at rehoming the GSD and getting another dog? Didn't you have mastiffs before?

TO take it a bit at a time, he was badly neglected and his health was affected, this is the first thing to fix because the major issue is the fact that he is undesexed. If you can do that, then much of the other behaviours should fall into place. Once he realises he's going to be fed regularly, hopefully the bin raiding will stop. He needs toilet training - I'm about to post that but it is usually best when the dog is desexed because male dogs generally have a very strong desire to mark territory. Pls note that it does take a little time for the testosterone to get out of a dog's system after desexing. He also has "on lead aggression", I managed to train that out of one of my terriers when he was 5 or so, in two weeks, using a method I saw on "it's me or the dog". As for dogs getting on the furniture and other bad behaviour - try looking at this website - it's fantastic, easy to read with sound advice - www.canineconcepts.co.uk. As someone who does follow ups for adopted rescue dogs, it's the best website I've found. Terriers are very smart and quick learners normally and I'm sure you'll get there. Here's the housetraining method: HOUSETRAINING TIPS Ok - first thing to do is decide on the command (I call it “do wees”) you will repeat over and over. You have to really focus on the dog for about 2-3 days to be successful. You have a pocketful of special treats on hand all the time for the first 2-3 days. Walk the dog several times a day and every time the dog wees, you get very excited and keep saying “Good boy/girl, do wees, do wees” – give the dog treats every time. First thing in the morning, last thing at night and every time you see the dog eat or drink (both precursors to weeing) whisk the dog into the garden and repeat the command “do wees”. Get very excited and present treats every time dog goes. The dog’s aim in life is to please you. If the dog should have an accident inside the house – say NOTHING at all. The dog soon gets the idea that when he/she goes outside you are really, really pleased and he/she gets rewarded. NB: Please note that the smell of urine must be properly removed for any housetraining to be successful. There are products on the market such as “Urine Off” but they are very expensive. A mix of white vinegar and water is a much cheaper alternative and should work for tiles and other surfaces although you should always take care with wood etc. For carpet/rugs, I use either a mixture of Napisan/water or bicarb of soda and water. I completely soak the stain using a dab on technique with a cloth. When it is very wet, I use an old towel to soak up the excess moisture. Again, be careful on any expensive carpet/rug, I have never had any problems but I cannot guarantee any method here.

I've heard great things about Max Zuber.

I had a foster dog who blew huge amounts of mucous everywhere (I'd come home and go searching - it would be hanging off the furniture, dried on the wall - it was gross!). All sorts of things were tried and nothing worked. In the end my vet said she would have to go to Sydney Uni, she was fairly certain that it was the fungal problem or cancer. I was so worried. Unbelievably, the good news from the surgery results was that it was only allergies. I live near the bush and whilst waiting for surgery she had been at a foster carer's house in the city where she was much better, still a bit snotty but nothing like here. I still thought she'd never find a home, then a lady in the inner city came and loved her so off she went. The occasionally runny nose that she'd get in the city was of no concern to her at all. So I'm really hoping that in your case, it is similar to my experience, all the best with this and I'm glad your husband is behind you!

Lowlifes everywhere isn't there?

I have pm'd you with the perfect dog!!

I usually take bandages off a few days before stitches are due out (normally 10 days or so), I let the air get to them for a bit, sounds like these need air anyhow.

dogmad - it is the Pennant Hills vet. My vet from Lane Cove has taken over the clinic and I will now be making the trek from Inner West. I Interesting, thanks for that. I knew it certainly wouldn't have been the previous inhabitant of the practice!!! And I've heard great things about Gladesville vet too.

My Sally (she's 11 and I rescued her from the pound age 10) has a large (and harmless) lump on her back leg, it's not bothering her at all. It is unsightly and people regularly stop and ask me about it. Even if I wanted to remove it I can't - she has a high liver reading and can't have anaesthetic of any kind, safely. But she lives a very happy life, I look at the quality of her life, not a painless lump on her rear leg. She had it when I adopted her but I didn't care, I love dogs enough to look past their defects but honestly, that seems to be very rare with people, they are frequently very judgmental and critical. I also have several dogs, people think that's terrible or weird or both but they are all loved and looked after, they love each other as well. There are so many out there who can't even look after 1 dog and yet these same people probably go to church at the weekend and would see nothing wrong in condemning me!!

A dear old girl, I'm so glad she was your faithful and happy friend for so many years. She'll be watching over you.

bacismumma, my heart goes out to you. What a big heart you had to give Buddy a second chance, you saw past the damaged ears - so many wouldn't have been able to. And when he needed you again, you didn't hesitate and no matter how much it hurt, you did the right thing for Buddy. RIP dear boy, you were well loved.